Kylie Kenney
Kylie Kenney was standing at her locker when some classmates asked her if she had seen "the Web site." She had no idea what they were talking about, but as the day wore on, she quickly learned — and so started her journey into becoming a victim of cyber-bullying. On that day in eighth grade she learned that someone had set up an Internet site called "Kill Kylie Incorporated" that was "devoted to show people how gay Kylie Kenney is," with the sign-off phrase, "Kylie must die." A few days later, someone started sending instant messages with Kylie's screen name to girls, including a field-hockey teammate, asking them out on dates. From junior high through her sophomore year of high school Kylie was forced to deal with continuous cyber bullying and losing many friendships. "I was just so ashamed, humiliated and scared," she said. "I couldn't understand why anyone would do this." Kylie received professional help and changed schools twice. She was home-schooled for a semester before things subsided. "I had no escape,"she said. "Everything followed me to school."
Although the "Kill Kylie" Web page came down soon after it was put up, it took nine months to discover who made it. Two students were suspended from school, and the police had to be called because the bullying included a death threat. Details of police action related to the students are not available because they are juveniles. She said she did not know the students beyond speaking to them once or twice. "No one should have to go through this," Kylie said. "Schools need to be trained to know how to deal with these types of situations.
Although the "Kill Kylie" Web page came down soon after it was put up, it took nine months to discover who made it. Two students were suspended from school, and the police had to be called because the bullying included a death threat. Details of police action related to the students are not available because they are juveniles. She said she did not know the students beyond speaking to them once or twice. "No one should have to go through this," Kylie said. "Schools need to be trained to know how to deal with these types of situations.